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Ganesh Chaturthi: - famous as Vinayaka Chaturti
Ganesh Chaturthi is mainly celebrated by Hindus
According to the Hindu calendar it is celebrated on the Chaturti of the month of Bhaadrapada.
Mythological significance
Lord Ganesh who is well -known as the lord of beginner, is the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, he has an elephant's head. This is believed that Lord Ganesh himself imparts his presence on earth for his worshippers during this festival. As per the Hindu calendar his festival is celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada which starts on the Shukla Chaturti which lies on the fourth of waxing moon day. According to the English calendar it comes between 20th August and 20th September, this festival lasts for 10 days which end on the Anant Chaturidashi. This is celebrated as the Birthday of Ganesh comes during this period and he is considered as the lord of wisdom, good fortune and Prosperity.
This was one of the main family festivals celebrated during the Peshwa rule in Maharashtra in the year 1893. A very well-known social reformer and Indian freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak made this festival as a public event. He was the one who brought the idol of lord Ganesh as "God for everybody" and announced that this festival is a national festival. He has done this in order to remove the caste discrimination between the Brahmins and Non-Brahmins and bring all the people together. His aim was to unite all the religions together and fight against the British colonial rule during that period. He encouraged people for setting up big statues of Lord Ganesh in public and also submerging the idols into rivers, ponds and sea on the end of the tenth day of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Celebration of Festival
People start preparing 2-3 months prior for this festival. Artistes make a variety of huge clay idols of Ganesh for setting the Pandals in public places. There are many groups that participate in these celebrations. These pandals are decorated with different themes giving some message to the public. These pandals are decorated with colorful lighting, flowers, statues and royal artificial sets. There are also various competitions conducted during this festival where a number of Mandals participate.
There are also completions for small children.
Now-a-days even societies are getting involved in celebrating this festival there are also small competitions held in the society. There are competitions of rangoli, decoration, games, mehendi, and dance competition. This is providing a strong platform for the artists to show their talents in front of everybody.
Ganesh Chaturthi starts from the Shudh Chaturti to Ananta Chaturti which lasts for 10 days. The priest conducts Puja everyday in the evening and distributes sweets to the devotees. After the Puja the entire entertainment programs start. People gather together for the aarti and pray for their health and prosperity to lord Ganesh. People also shout 'Ganapati Bappa Moriya' as their love for the Lord Ganesh. People enjoy seeing the decoration of this festival along with their family members. This may continue for the whole night as well. This provides people with an opportunity to come together and spend some moments to cherish.
Finally on the 11th day the idol is taken to rivers, ponds and sea for 'Visarjan'. There is a big procession taking the idol on the trucks that follows dancing Mandals, the band group and the thousands of people leading the procession. This is the ritual see-off journey to lord Ganesh by his devotes which is well-known as the 'Ganesh Visarjan'. People move on shouting 'Ganapati Bappa Moriya, Pudhachya Varshi Laukar ya'. People carry this idol to the sea or river and immerse the idol into the water.
Tradition food
The main and favorite sweet dish during this festival is the Modakas. This was the favorite sweet dish of Lord Ganesh so people offer this to lord Ganesh during this festival. This is made of rice/wheat flour filled with a stuffing of dry or fresh coconut, sugar, dry fruits and ghee. This stuffing is either steamed or fried in oil. Karanji is also one of the main sweet dishes which were liked by the Lord Ganesh so this is also offered in front of the Ganesh Idol.
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